Virtual Challenge 5.0 Continues
We have been so inspired by the success of the Virtual 5.0 Challenge that we have extended it through November.
Participants continue to push themselves to meet their personal challenges and have already raised over $35,000 thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and donors.
Here are some of the exciting – and challenging – activities our participants have undertaken to raise money in support of our disabled athletes:
Cycling 118.47 miles in 44.5 hours
Doing 2,000 sit-ups in 30 days
Rowing 5k for 5 days a week for a month
Doing 5,555 jumping jacks in 5 weeks
Walking .5 miles every day during the Challenge
Doing 10,000 crunches in October
Collectively our challengers have helped share the news about the great work of PCAS and the difference we make in the lives of our athletes, our volunteers, our donors, and our community. Join the challenge while there’s still time. You can create your own challenge by sharing your story with friends and family.
No donation is too small. Every dollar counts.
There are many ways to donate, including on-line at Five Point Zero Challenge or by mailing a check payable to PCAS to the attention of: PCAS, 4 Boathouse Row, Philadelphia, PA, 19130.
We are confident we will meet the goal. Together we can meet this challenge. We just need to continue to spread the word about what we do and to encourage contributions from every source we can find. Thanks for being part of the PCAS community and joining the Challenge.
(Contributor: Meg Jones)
PCAS PROGRAMS
MONO-SKIING
Nothing else compares!
In previous newsletters, we have written about our adaptive ski program, and what it takes to run an adaptive ski program for our athletes and volunteers. This month, Eric Katz, a PCAS ski instructor, describes the equipment, techniques and the thrill of mono-skiing.
Children skiers often get all the cheers from the chairlift crowd, unless you are skiing down in a mono-ski.
Mono-skis are not only attention-getters; they are awe-inspiring.
Equipment
A mono-ski is a type of sit-ski. They enable individuals with disabilities to hit the slopes and rip!
Sit-skis are typically manufactured with extraordinarily strong, lightweight materials such as, carbon fiber, aluminum, and thermoplastics. For sit skiers, there are two choices of skis: bi-ski and mono-ski.
A bi-ski is a bucket seat mounted between two skis. They provide stability for individuals who are either just learning to ski or for those who need assistance in steering and maneuvering at the lift.
A mono-ski is also a bucket seat, but mounted to motocross suspension shocks, that sit on top of a single, standard ski. Mono-skis provide greater maneuverability than bi-skis, but require greater upper body strength.
Mono-skis are commonly used for individuals with lower injury levels who demonstrate good upper extremity muscle control and balance. However, within the disabled community, it is not uncommon for someone with a higher injury level, such as a quadriplegic, to break these boundaries and shred the slops in a monoski.
Technique
To maintain balance and help initiate turns, outriggers are used. Outriggers are handheld miniature skis at the end of a pair of short Lofstrand (forearm) crutches. Turns are initiated by extending your arms and reaching with these outriggers, while transferring body weight onto the tip of the ski.
Making turns in a mono-ski not only looks awesome, but it feels even better! Your whole body gets to feel the G-forces of each turn, while standing skiers only get to experience this through their lower limbs. If I had the choice to ski standing up or sitting in my mono-ski, I’d choose my mono-ski every time. Nothing else compares.
(Contributor: Eric Katz)
PCAS PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
JAMES WOODSON
As an avid cyclist, James Woodson first heard about the PCAS program about twenty years ago. He knew, and cycled with, John Siemiarowski who told him about PCAS. It was a changing point for James.
“I love cycling; it’s a wonderful activity. It gives someone like me, who is visually impaired, a sense of freedom.”
James likes being on a bike not only for the benefits of physical activity, but because it’s fun. He especially enjoys the camaraderie of being involved with PCAS, where there are others who share his interests.
James recalls several high-points since he became involved. He thoroughly enjoyed participating in the MS Ride through New Jersey. James has also participated in other rides, such as the Scenic Schuylkill, with several others he has met through PCAS. One of his favorite memories was receiving the “Athlete of the Year” award in 2009. “I had no idea it was going to happen!”
Although he tried rowing a few times, James decided his passion was in cycling. Regardless of preference, though, he encourages others to get involved in whatever program or activity appeals to them. He thinks PCAS offerings are unique, and he goes out of his way to promote them to others with physical challenges.
Beyond sports, James appreciates the social aspects of the PCAS community. “I’ve met so many wonderful people over the years, the volunteers, and other people I have become very friendly with.” He also loves attending the End of Season party at the boathouse, a great opportunity to meet people from other programs. These relationships build a community across PCAS sports programs.
Like many of us, James was disappointed when COVID caused programs to be cancelled, and the absence of regular cycling has had a big impact. “I knew I loved doing it, but when we couldn’t, it left a big hole in my daily life,” he lamented. James said he has a stationary bike at home, “but there’s nothing like the real thing.”
We are hoping for big and bright changes for James and all of us as we move through the end of this year and into 2021!
(Contributor: Andrea Pampaloni)
Upcoming Events
PLEASE NOTE:
In-person Skiing and Chester County Cycling are scheduled. Click the sport for info.
All other in-person programs are paused, pending further notice.
TEXT: Join PCAS Update
TO: 888-535-2276
To keep updated with important PCAS schedule changes.
